Eleanor Fox

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A Dog’s Purpose isn’t to be exploited

Footage suggesting animal cruelty took a part in the production of upcoming film “A Dog’s Purpose” has caused uproar on social media.

The film is about a devoted dog discovering the meaning of his own existence through teaching it’s humans to laugh and love. The dog gets reincarnated as different canines over several decades and develops an unbreakable bond with a boy called Ethan. The dog later comes back into his life much later to remind him of his true self.

Showbiz focused news organisation TMZ uploaded the footage in January, but it recently stormed social media after a post made by Oscar’s Law was shared 53,000 times gaining more than a million views.

The non-profit animal rights organisation wrote in their post: “This is so disturbing. We have advanced technology to do this. We don’t need to terrify poor, confused animals. Please do not support A Dog’s Purpose when it is released.”

In the video, a German Shepherd is forced into turbulent waters despite his continuous resistance.

With advanced technology, the dog could have paddled in calm waters and video editing could have created turbulent waters, meaning the dog would have avoided anything he felt uncomfortable with.

From the audio in the clip you can hear one of the crew saying “you just gotta throw him in.”

Comments were made on the Facebook post by upset viewers such as: “That is so cruel, the people involved should be charged with animal cruelty.” and “How traumatising, I was really looking forward to the movie, not anymore!”

Lasse Hallström, the film’s director released a statement saying: “I am very disturbed by the video released today from the set of my film A Dog’s Purpose. I did not witness these actions. We were all committed to providing a loving and safe environment for all the animals in the film. I have been promised that a thorough investigation into this situation is underway and that any wrongdoing will be reported and punished.”

The premiere of the film was quickly cancelled following the accusations and an investigation was launched.

PETA called for the film to be boycotted by the public to send a strong message to Hollywood that people are not willing to buy tickets to a film that exploits dogs and other animals.

The producer, Gavin Palone, commented: “Had I been on the set, this would have never happened. This movie got made because of how I feel about animals.”

Because of the nature of the film, described by Josh Gad (the voice of one of the dogs in the film) as “one of the most beautiful love letters to animals I have ever seen.” The majority of animal lovers were waiting excitedly for the film to be released. However most of them now say they refuse to support the film. It has struck such disappointment among the masses.

Ella Priest, a student from Rayleigh, Essex, said: “I’ve read the book and I was really looking forward to going to see the film. I am now discouraged as I feel I cannot watch something when I know cruelty was induced to create it. I have a German Shepherd myself and would never dream of forcing him to do anything.”

The clip is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csLiYr5OGbg